General Farm Worker

A General Farm Worker apprentice will support the general operation of farm enterprises through maintaining a culture of health and safety, biosecurity, engaging with third parties, maintaining crop, animal handling and health, maintenance and cleanliness of machinery.

A General Farm Worker will typically be required to drive farm vehicles and must hold the appropriate license. The individual will work alongside the supervisor, supporting daily operations for the farm enterprises including identifying and maintaining animal or plant health performance, conducting routine tasks and assisting with general record keeping practices. The individual will manage the storage of forage and crop, minimising waste and disposing of necessary waste appropriately. Animal welfare and risk awareness and prevention are integral to this occupation.

This Apprenticeship Standard takes a core and options approach. All apprentices will complete the core units and depending on their workplace duties will complete either of the following two pathways:

• Livestock Worker
• Crop Worker. 

What all apprentices will learn (core elements)

• To undertake “safe and effective” activities as instructed and actively record daily activity. For example, cleaning machinery, monitoring and recording livestock (livestock checks)
• Operate within strict bio-security practices. For example, implementing visitor policy
• Maintain a satisfactory environment for the animals such as ensuring clean bedding, water and shelter
• Operate agricultural vehicles relevant to the business safely, legally and in line with current legislation
• Recognise environmental risk and carry out operations to minimise environmental impact, such as avoiding pollution of soil, air and water courses. Check and maintain field boundaries
• Prepare and maintain crop/forage storage as instructed. Including monitoring pests and vermin in crop or bulk bins and temperature monitoring
• Monitor and maintain farm infrastructure, machinery and non-production areas as instructed. For example, checking oil in farm machinery, maintaining fences, general building maintenance
• Implement effective storage and disposal of waste in accordance with regulation; such as chemicals, sharps, organic and non-organic waste
• For more information on the skills, knowledge and behaviours associated and learnt on this apprenticeship, please download the file attached to this link: General Farm Worker Level 2

What a livestock pathway apprentice will learn

• Carry out routine health and welfare checks on livestock and report on health and production performance when this is abnormal. This includes administration of routine treatments, under supervision and engaging with third parties such as vets
• Monitor and select grass for either grazing or forage production - recognising and reporting on the growth, health and maintenance of a chosen grassland sward.
• Feed Animals as per instruction and ensuring fresh water is always accessible
• Monitor animals prior to, during and post parturition, assisting with associated husbandry tasks
• Perform relevant stock breeding related tasks under instruction; selection of animals, identification of signs of heat, assisting with service duties

What a crop worker pathway apprentice will learn

• Perform crop and or forage operations as per instruction. For example, combining, plate meter reading
• Recognise and record (verbally and written) the growth and health of crops
• Assist with preparation and planting of field scale crops
• Safely load, unload and transport harvested crops in accordance with legislation and codes of practice
• Recognise good and poor quality in growing, harvested and stored crops

Qualifications

• Apprenticeship Certificate
• Award in Emergency First Aid at Work
• City & Guilds Level 2 Principles of Safe Handling and Application of Pesticides
• Level 1 in maths and/or English Functional Skills (if applicable)

Delivery Model

Regular learning, skills and knowledge assessment and research work at Plumpton College alongside blended online learning. Attendance at college one day a fortnight (term time only) with quarterly workplace competency and efficiency observation, assessments and reviews.

The entry requirements for all Level 2 programmes, will require either: 

• GCSE 1 or above in English (either Literature or Language) and Maths
• GCSE H or above in English (either Literature or Language) and Maths
• Entry 3 Functional Skills English and Maths (or equivalent qualification) at this level or Level 1 or 2.

Should you not meet the entry requirements for English and Maths, please get in contact with us. We are aware that there are many factors that may have affected your previous education and grades, so will consider these in support of the application on an individual basis.

In addition to your prior English and Maths qualifications, you will complete an initial assessment for English and Maths as part of your pre-boarding session in college. This assessment will give us a current working level grade and will indicate which level Functional Skills you will be enrolled on if you have not got a GCSE 4/C or above in English and Maths. We may contact you to discuss this grade if we have any concerns.

If you have a grade 4/C or above in GCSE English and/or Maths, you will not be required to attend Functional Skills English and/or Maths sessions as part of your Apprenticeship.

Please note: You will be required to produce your GCSE certificates BEFORE you start your course to be exempt from attending Functional Skills English and Maths sessions.

To enrol onto an apprenticeship programme you need to be employed with a contract of employment. If you have an employer lined up or are already employed please contact our Business Services team on 01273 892127 or via email.

You must be in a role that will allow you the opportunity to develop the necessary skills, knowledge and behaviours set out in the apprenticeship. Additionally, apprentices must have a working level of maths and English that will allow successful achievement of level 1 functional skill prior to the end point assessment.

If you do not currently have an employer please visit the main Apprenticeships page for guidance on how to find and apply for an apprenticeship opportunity or register for our Talent Bank service.

If you are an employer and would like to recruit or enrol an existing employee onto an apprenticeship please contact our Business Services team on  01273 892127 or via email.